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12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

President Clinton plans a trip home to Arkansas to view tornado damage.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie

And in Franklin County, a car hits a bus loaded with grade schoolers.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick

Rain is forcing some creeks and streams out of their banks today, so flash
flood watches cover the entire viewing area. A few WARNINGS are up as well,
we'll look at all that when we turn to weather.
(////////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Stay with us News 7 at Noon next.

Bus-Accident

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=accident

A car hit a school bus loaded with children in Franklin County this morning.
One child was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital.
13 other students were treated at the scene.
The county School superintendent says the bus was on its normal run to
Dudley Elementary school and had stopped to pick up a student, when it was hit
from behind.

Tornado

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=tornado

Federal disaster officials are touring tornado- ravaged Arkansas today,
where twenty four people died over the weekend.
Dave Fehling reports from Arkadelphia, one of the hardest hit communities.
********take from NEWSPATH******
SUPER=05-Arkadelphia, AR;
SUPER=01-Dave Fehling/Reporting;
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Arkadelphia, AR;
SUPER=01-Mike Huckabee/Arkansas Governor;
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=
SUPER=05-Arkadelphia, AR;
((
THE STORM DRILLED ITS WAY THROUGH DOWNTOWN ARKADELPHIA FOR AS LONG AS
TEN MINUTES...AN EXTRAORDINARY LENGTH OF TIME FOR A FUNNEL CLOUD TO REMAIN ON
THE GROUND. AFTER TOURING THE DEVASTATION WROUGHT BY MORE THAN A DOZEN
KILLER TORNADOES, ARKANSAS GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE CALLED THE STORM SYSTEM ONE
OF THE MOST VISCOUS IN STATE HISTORY.
SUPER: Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arkansas
SOT: 21 19 "We may end up counting as many in this one night as we did all
year last year./ "We are talking about an extraordinary evening of weather."
NARR: AFTER DECLARING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO STORM VICTIMS, PRESIDENT CLINTON
PROMISED TO TOUR HIS HOME STATE ON TUESDAY.
CLINTON TODAY SOT: "more people were killed in 18 hours than whole time I
was governor."
NARR: THE TWISTERS CUT A 260-MILE PATH FROM SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS TO THE
NORTHEAST JUST SOUTH OF LITTLE ROCK. HERE IN ARKADELPHIA, THE FUNNEL CLOUDS
KILLED 6 PEOPLE AND LEVELED MORE THAN HALF OF THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES...
FLORIST BETTY ALLEN SAW A DECADE'S WORK...DECIMATED IN ONE NIGHT.
SOT: "I'm just numb."

NARR: THIS MAN HAD AN EMPLOYEE DIE RIGHT NEXT TO HIM.
SOT: "it was like a bomb."

NARR: EMERGENCY CREWS ARE WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK TO RESTORE POWER TO THE
THOUSANDS LEFT IN THE DARK AS PEOPLE SORT THROUGH THE DAMP REMAINS OF THEIR
LIVES.))

FLOODING

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=flooding

The same huge storm system is also blamed for up to 16 deaths in Ohio,
Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Adams Co., OH;

In Ohio the worst could be yet to come.
The storm dumped ten inches of rain in some parts of the state and
forecasters now predict that the Ohio River will crest later this week in
downtown Cincinnati at nearly ten feet above the flood level.
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E-Inmate

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=eea
TAPE# 97-4
GRAPHIC=Jail Break

Police in Martinsville are still searching for an inmate who escaped from
the city jail yesterday morning.
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VO-NAT

Officials say Issac Swanson was hiding in a shower, and overpowered a
deputy.
Swanson escaped with another inmate.
The other inmate was quickly recaptured, but Swanson remains at large.
He's described as five feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 175 pounds.
Officials say Swanson has a history of assaulting police officers and is
considered dangerous.
Anyone with information should contact the Martinsville-Henry County
Communications Center.
(----------------)

STRANDED

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

A spring break trip to paradise has turned into heartbreak for hundreds of
college students.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Raleigh, NC;

Virginia Tech and Appalachian State students are among those who have been
stranded at airports in Raleigh and Baltimore waiting for flights to Cancun.
Their planes never showed up.
The students booked flights through two travel agents, Take a Break Travel
and Surf N Sun.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
20:51
IN Q=WHEN ARE PEOPLE
SUPER=01-Mandy Feldman/Stranded Traveler; :02
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=WHERE IT GOES.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The students spent last night in hotels or at the airports.
A spokesman for Take-A-Break Travel tells News 7 the delays were caused by
mechanical problems.
He said students in Baltimore took off this morning, and students in Raleigh
are scheduled to leave this afternoon.
(----------------)

E-D'Ville-Shooting

ANCHOR=Mel
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE# 97-3
GRAPHIC=Shooting

State police are still looking for the person who shot and wounded a train
conductor in Pittsylvania County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

40- year- old Robin Lynn Safrit was riding in the front of the train when a
shot shattered a double pane window and struck him in the upper back.
It happened yesterday afternoon, near Chatham.
Authorities believe a pellet or b-b- gun was used.
At this point, state police believe the weapon was fired on purpose because
two shots were fired.
(--------0--------)

Pakistan

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

Nineteen children are said to be among the dead in a train derailment early
today in eastern Pakistan.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Islamabad, Pakistan;

Rescue workers say at least 125 people were killed and about 150 others
injured when the train's brakes failed.
Officials say the train had apparently been ordered to stop to make way for
a second train coming from the opposite direction.
It jumped the tracks and the first five cars overturned.
(----------------)

Baltimore-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=fatal fire

In Baltimore, six children from the same family died overnight in a
rowhouse fire.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD;

Officials say the house had no smoke alarm.
The children's parents escaped with a two- year- old sibling.
Authorities say the father tried to rescue the other children, but was
turned back by heavy smoke.
(-------------)
WIPE WIPE WIPE

E-Roanoke-Fire

Roanoke fire investigators suspect arson in a blaze last night that
consumed an abandoned home on Rorer Avenue.
Fire officials say the house had been set on fire several times before.
Officials continue to investigate.
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tease#1
HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

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VO-NAT

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Talent=Patrick
Wx-Tease
music up full
comm1

Boty-Drugs

ANCHOR=mel
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=marijuana

A Botetourt County sheriff's deputy made a strange discovery during a
routine patrol early this morning.
According to authorities, more than 200 pounds of marijuana were found in
the parking lot of a Daleville strip mall.
The pot was being kept in four big duffel bags under a tarp.
Officials staked out the area after the discovery was made but according to
sheriff Reed Kelly, at this time no arrests have been made.

TEEN-OVERDOSE

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

A group of middle schoolers who overdosed over the weekend while at a dance
are expected to make full recoveries.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Woburn, MA;
10:08:16
A prayer service was held for the teens yesterday.
Twelve teens were initially hospitalized in critical condition,
after taking muscle relaxant pills to get high.
Eight of the teens remain hospitalized, two in critical condition.
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E-Rail-Merger

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 96-110
GRAPHIC=conrail

The battle may be over for Conrail.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Sources tell The Washington Post that Norfolk Southern and C-S-X will split
up Conrail's rail lines under a proposed deal.
The deal would end Conrail's Eastern monopoly and give C-S-X and Norfolk
Southern direct access to New York.
It would also settle a four-month fight pitting C-S-X against Norfolk
Southern for control of Conrail.
The Post says the agreement could be announced this week if it is approved
by Conrail's board of directors.
(----------------)

SPY-SENTENCING

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

Another guilty plea in a spy case.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@FILE;

Harold Nicholson, the highest-ranking C-I-A agent ever charged with
espionage, pleaded guilty today to selling secrets to Moscow.
Nicholson could be sentenced to life in prison.
(----------------)

S-Feedback 3/2/97

A Franklin County viewer disagreed with the C-B-S News coverage of the
shooting at the Empire State Building last week.
Assignment editor Joe McKean has this week's Feedback.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The day after
SUPER=03-New York, NY/February 23; :01
SUPER=00-Dan Rather/CBS Evening News Anchor; :13
SUPER=01-Rudolph Giuliani/New York Mayor; :24
RUNS=2:07
OUT Q=McKean, News-7.
(( The day after a gunman opened fire on tourists at the Empire State Building,
the CBS Evening News followup coverage included a live interview with New
York's mayor.
One issue that came up: gun control.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=How is is that
((DAN RATHER/CBS EVENING NEWS ANCHOR: HOW IS IT THAT A MAN FROM OVERSEAS COMES
INTO THE COUNTRY AND WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS SEEMINGLY WITH NO PROBLEM IS ABLE
TO PURCHASE A HANDGUN?
RUDOLPH GIULIANI/NEW YORK MAYOR: BECAUSE IN SOME PLACES IN THIS COUNTRY THE
LAWS WITH RESPECT TO GUNS ARE INSANE, DAN. IT MAKES NO SENSE IN A CIVILIZED,
SENSIBLE SOCIETY THAT A TRANSIENT LIVING IN A MOTEL FOR ONE DAY CAN BUY A NEW
SEMI-AUTOMATIC ATTACK WEAPON.))
RUNS=:34
OUT Q=attack weapon.

After seeing that exchange, a viewer from Ferrum wrote:
"While no one can deny the tragedy of these reprehensible acts of an
obvious madman, I feel the coverage was nothing more than the sensationalizing
of this act for purely political gain. It was like watching a free commercial
for Handgun Control Incorporated.
Mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani is protected by the First Amendment
of the Constitution to state his opinion, and I am protected by the Second
Amendment to own firearms. For him to denigrate my rights without any balance,
and to basically paint the millions of legal, law abiding gun owners in this
nation with the same brush as an alien madman made me sick to my stomach.
I am all for the responsible and prudent ownership of guns. But it is more
than high time for people to realize that a gun cannot pull its own trigger.
I thank you for this forum to speak my mind. I will not, however, write a
similar letter to CBS News in New York. That is to me tantamount to trying to
persuade an atheist to believe in the existence of God."
If you have a comment on news coverage or topics in the news, write to
News-7 Feedback at P.O. Box 7, Roanoke, 24022.
Faxes should be sent to 343-7269.
Our E-mail address is news@wdbj.com.
And try our new on-line moderated forum on our home page: www.wdbj7.com.
Joe McKean, News-7.
))
Tease#2
SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

It won't be a book of historical facts--but instead, a compilation of
personal recollections and tales by authors who have ties to Rockbridge County,
even if they never knew it.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:53:04
((BARRY NALL: I BEGAN TO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT MY FAMILY HAD SETTLED HERE IN
VIRGINIA IN THE EARLY 1700S AND I FOUND ALL THIS OUT IN ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, AND
I NEVER KNEW-- I ALWAYS FELT AT HOME IN VIRGINIA, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHY-- SO
MAYBE NOW I KNOW WHY. ))
RUNS=:13

Black- and- white photographs also tell the story of the area-- some of
which date back to the late 19th century.
A few stories even have the feel of folklore-- such as the one about
hunter Frank Arnold, for whom Arnold's Valley is named.
As the tale goes, Arnold made an unusual offer to a stranger passing
through the area.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:50:25
((MARTHA WATKINS: HE OFFERED THE MAN, IF HE'D GIVE HIS JUG OF LIQUOR, HE'D
GIVE HIM HIS WIFE AND HIS LOG CABIN. SO, ARNOLD GAVE HIM HIS CABIN AND HIS JUG
OF LIQUOR, AND THE MAN ACCEPTED, AND ARNOLD LEFT WITH HIS JUG OF LIQUOR AND
NEVER WAS SEEN ANYMORE SINCE. ))
RUNS=:18

The book also promises to spotlight local figures who weren't quite as
notorious.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:47:20
((JESSIE CLARK: SO, MANY BOOKS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE MORE PROMINENT
FAMILIES, AND THIS WILL GET THE LITTLE FELLER IN THERE--AS WE WOULD SAY. ))
RUNS=:07
pre-pro here please
If you'd like to submit a story or photograph, you can send it to the
Rockbridge Heritage Book Committee.
The deadline is March 15th.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7, Rockbridge County.))
WEATHER
SUPER=300-42/96/E 8mph/29.92f/84/1976/10/1980;
SUPER=301-38/100/Var 7-22mph/29.94f/81/1976/11/1925;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Evening Rain/Then Clearing/38-42/Mostly Sunny/& Mild/62-66;
SUPER=331-Evening Rain/Then Clearing/40-44/Mostly Sunny/& Mild/64-68;
SUPER=332-Cloudy/Showers Possible/36-40/Partly Cloudy/& Warmer/60-64;
SUPER=333-Gradual/Clearing/34-38/Mostly Sunny/& Mild/60-64;
SUPER=334-Cloudy/Showers Ending/36-40/Partly Cloudy/& Warmer/60-64;
SUPER=X5001;

Common-Sense

When you get a refund from the I-R-S, that's money that could be working for
YOU during the year.
Len Besthoff explains in this week's edition of Common Sense.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=In this
SUPER=@Len1; :00
SUPER=01-Bill Williams/H&R Block; :09
RUNS=:52
OUT Q=the newsdesk.
((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape one 06:25:01
IN Q=In this week's
((In this week's edition of Common Sense, we talk about how many folks are
overpaying their taxes and getting refunds. Bill Williams with H&R Block has
more.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE ONE 06:00:28
IN Q=Well a
((BILL WILLIAMS/H&R BLOCK: WELL A LOT OF THESE TAXPAYERS ARE USING THE TAX
WITHHOLDING SYSTEM AS A FORCED SAVINGS PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE
DISCIPLINE TO SAVE EVERY PAYDAY. AND THEY PLAN TO HAVE THESE LARGE REFUNDS.
IF WE WERE IN A PERFECT WORLD, THE IDEAL SITUATION WOULD BE TO COME UP WITH OH
YOU CAN SAY ONE DOLLAR, OR HAVING A ONE DOLLAR REFUND ON APRIL 15TH. BUT
THAT'S REALLY NOT THE WAY OUR CITIZENS LOOK AT IT IN THIS COUNTRY. THE
TAXPAYER CAN GO TO THEIR PERSONNEL OFFICE OR THEIR PAYROLL OFFICE, OR TO A TAX
PREPARER FIRM, WHO WILL HELP THEM ADJUST THEIR FORM W-4, WHICH IS THE
WITHHOLDING STATEMENT THAT DETERMINES HOW MUCH IS BEING WITHHELD, AND COME UP
WITH ABOUT THE RIGHT AMOUNT. ))
RUNS=:43
OUT Q=right amount.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE TWO 06:30:21
IN Q=I'm Len Besthoff
((I'm Len Besthoff with this week's edition of Common Sense, let's send it back
to the newsdesk.))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=newsdesk.))

Stocks

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=stocks

On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was
tease#3
SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

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VO-NAT

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MUSIC UP FULL
comm4

Tech

It was an emotional day in Blacksburg as Tech's Bill Foster's six year
coaching tenure came to a close.
With tears in his eyes Foster lead the Hokies into Cassell Coliseum for the
last time.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Musketeers vs Hokies; :00

The Hokies went head to head with fourteenth ranked Xavier. With the lead
going back and forth in the first the Musketeers lead 43-37 at the break.
There was no hiding emotion in the second as Xavier's tough play and some
questionable calls put the Musketeers up by 12 with just three and a half left
to play.
Tech's Troy Manns scored seven straight points to close the gap 75-70. But
that run fell short as Xavier walked away with a 72-81 victory.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=we wanter to
SUPER=01-Troy Manns/30 Points;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=always do
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Hokies are hoping to bounce back in time for the Atlantic Ten
tournament which begins Wednesday.
(-------------)

The game was close in the first half. Harold Deane takes it to the hoop
drawing the foul and giving the Cavaliers a one point lead.
Curtis Staples hit a three pointer, bringing the Cavs within a point of the
Terps at the half.
The Cavaliers rallied and took the lead with five minutes left when Courtney
Alexander hit the three making it 62 to 61.
Virginia hung on to that lead the SUPER=33-Virginia/81/Maryland/74/;rest
of the way the Cavaliers knocking off Maryland 81 to 74.
(-------------)

Race

Rusty Wallace finished first at the
Pontiac 400 in Richmond, but the win may be tainted.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Richmond/ESPN; :

Dale Jarrett made his move and he was the leader at the halfway mark.
But with 15 laps to go Ernie Irvan hits the wall bringing out the fourth
caution of the day.
Wallace got the jump on Jarrett when the race restarted and he takes the
checkered Flag.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((RUSTY WALLACE/PONTIAC EXCITEMENT 400 WINNER: ))
SUPER=01-Rusty Wallace/Pontiac Excitement 400 Winner; :
RUNS=:11
OUT Q= ....real strong."
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Roy
SS=Hold Logo

Wallace's car may have been too strong. It failed to meet NASCAR's
compression ratio during inspection. NASCAR is expected to make a ruling
today.
Geoff Bodine was second, Jarrett third, Gordon fourth and Ricky Rudd
finished fifth.

S-Soup

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=dse
TAPE# 97-2
GRAPHIC=None

Call it one of the most valuable soup cans around.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Centreville;

Jeanna Dodd picked up what looked like an ordinary can of soup from a
Fairfax foodbank last week.
But when she opened it, it turned out to be a tiny safe containing seven-
thousand dollars in jewelry.
The owners of the jewelry came forward Saturday to reclaim their goods.
Dodd was NOT left empty handed though.
The owners gave her a thousand- dollar reward for her honesty.
(----------------)